Lithium Sulfate Monohydrate Crystallization Process

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current processes for treating aqueous solutions comprising lithium sulfate and sulfuric acid lack efficiency in recovering lithium sulfate monohydrate crystals and achieving a reduced sulfuric acid concentration, leading to issues like equipment plugging and difficult handling due to viscous mixtures.

Innovation Solution

A process involving evaporative crystallization of lithium sulfate and sulfuric acid under controlled temperature and pressure conditions to obtain lithium sulfate monohydrate crystals and a reduced sulfuric acid solution, followed by optional separation of the crystals, which helps prevent decomposition and facilitates further concentration of the acid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional processes are used to treat aqueous solutions comprising lithium sulfate and sulfuric acid, then lithium sulfate recovery is achieved, but equipment plugging and handling difficulties occur due to viscous mixtures and high sulfuric acid concentration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment operation reliabilityVSAvoidhandling ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by controlling temperature and pressure conditions during evaporative crystallization to obtain lithium sulfate monohydrate crystals at specific concentrations (e.g., 20-40% sulfuric acid), transforming the physical state and properties of the mixture to eliminate viscosity issues and equipment plugging while maintaining reliable operation and ease of handling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of substance

If conventional processes are used to treat aqueous solutions comprising lithium sulfate and sulfuric acid, then some lithium sulfate is recovered, but decomposition occurs and sulfuric acid concentration remains high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelithium sulfate recovery efficiencyVSAvoidlithium sulfate decomposition

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes phase transitions through evaporative crystallization under controlled conditions to transform dissolved lithium sulfate into solid monohydrate crystals while simultaneously concentrating sulfuric acid to desired levels, thereby improving recovery efficiency and preventing decomposition by maintaining stable compositional conditions throughout the process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing evaporative crystallization under controlled temperature and pressure before decomposition can occur, establishing the desired product form and concentration range in advance to prevent subsequent instability and decomposition of lithium sulfate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If evaporative crystallization is performed under uncontrolled conditions, then lithium sulfate monohydrate crystals can be obtained, but decomposition occurs and sulfuric acid concentration is not optimized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrystal formation qualityVSAvoidprocess efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by implementing dynamically controlled temperature and pressure conditions during evaporative crystallization, allowing the process to adapt and maintain optimal parameters throughout operation, thereby ensuring high crystal formation quality while maximizing productivity through efficient sulfuric acid concentration and lithium sulfate recovery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This process effectively recovers lithium sulfate monohydrate crystals while inhibiting decomposition and allows for the achievement of a suitable intermediate concentration, reducing the risk of equipment issues and improving handling, thus enhancing the efficiency of lithium sulfate recovery and sulfuric acid concentration.

Implementation Method 1

evaporatively crystallizing the aqueous composition comprising lithium sulfate and sulfuric acid under conditions to obtain crystals of lithium sulfate monohydrate and a lithium sulfate-reduced solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporative crystallization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS20220032207A1Processes for treating aqueous compositions comprising lithium sulfate and sulfuric acid

Publication Date: 2022.02.03 NEMASKA LITHIUM

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to processes for treating an aqueous composition comprising lithium sulfate and sulfuric acid. The processes comprise evaporatively crystallizing the aqueous composition comprising lithium sulfate and sulfuric acid under conditions to obtain crystals of lithium sulfate monohydrate and a lithium sulfate-reduced solution; and optionally separating the crystals of the lithium sulfate monohydrate from the lithium sulfate-reduced solution. The processes optionally further comprise concentrating the lithium sulfate-reduced solution under conditions to obtain an acidic condensate and a concentrate comprising sulfuric acid.